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Hot Times (1974)
This brings back memories
I rented this movie because I was a young kid with percolating hormones.
The movie is absolutely terrible. Everything was badly executed and crapped into a VHS box. A very, very large VHS box.
The plot is very simple, and there's not much going on. Characters from the Archie comic books are in a live action sex comedy. When I watched this 30 years ago, my brother and I wondered if it was really an adult film edited to a heavy R rating. We never found out.
Anyway, this movie is trash. It was horrible then, and is probably horrible now. I might see if I can find it and watch it one more time for nostalgia.
The Transformers: The Movie (1986)
Many Feels, Many Memories
I was, and still am, a Transformers fan. With that out of the way, the bias is going to show.
I was so excited and stoked for this movie when the teasers started to appear in the newspapers and TV. A full-length motion picture of my favorite toys. I was very attached to the characters from the comic books and TV show. Little did I know how the movie was going to turn for said characters. It was unexpected and extremely emotional for me. I heard others in the theater openly crying in certain parts.
Yes, this was probably made to promote the new line of toys that were being released, and needed new story lines for them. The movie... well, it was epic. The battle between good and evil. The struggles of loss. Meeting new friends. Facing new enemies. It opened new vistas, and even some glimmer of hope. The story was well-written, and will cure the itch for any G1 fan.
The animation is a tad dated, but this was made over 30 years ago, so considering the age, it is not that bad. I watched it again after twenty odd years later, and it still hit the feels.
My childhood revisited. Although not the best of times, but things like this made them a little happier.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Ferris Was My Hero
Ferris Bueller had it all, and I wanted to be that for at least one day. Always in control, with the pretty girl, relying on goofy friend only to boss him around and critique him when things do not go my way, having the entire school worshiping me, and watching authority figures fumble all over themselves falling into my ingenious traps. He was everything I wanted to be.
As the years roll by, I am content to be the Cameron I am. It's OK to be average. There's nothing wrong with insecurity, fear, and not knowing what the future holds.
These truths is what makes the movie great. It takes you places, and hyper-focuses on the character development. Some moments are fast paced and hilarious. Then it slows down and gets very symbolic. The pacing of the movie is simply incredible. As for the story, it is cheesy. I might even go as far as to say it is predictable. All the same, it takes you back to the characters, which turn out some of the most memorable moments in movie history.
Fuller House (2016)
Some Things Are Best Left in the Past
I will openly admit, this was never my first choice when it came to television programming, but would watch it when nothing else was on. The original series was goofy, over-the-top, filled with crappy story lines, and everybody having a hug at the end. Oh, and with some After School Special lesson learned. With all of those things in mind, I found myself enjoying it once I got into the groove.
30 years later, I get Netflix and watch the new series out of morbid curiosity. It's the same formula as the old series. I have to admit (lots of that going on this review)- I smiled when I saw the old cast appear one at a time in the first episode. I even kind of welled up. Ah, the joys of nostalgia.
That was about it. Once that wore off, I could not take it much longer and watched something else. Way back in the day, when there was nothing else on, Full House filled the bill. These days, I have ten million choices in entertainment. Fuller House is just not one of those shows I choose to watch.
For fans of the show, this may make them angry. For that, I truly apologize. Just some things are best left in the past.
Teen Wolf (1985)
An ABC Weekend Special-Like Comedy
This film holds a special place in my heart. This is a movie about triumph in the face of typical kid problems. Those problems are amplified in the form of sudden superpowers and how he and others deal with it. It's a pretty straightforward formula with some (sometimes funny) comedy bits thrown in. Oh, and of course, the girl next door vs. the popular pretty girl dilemma.
Acting is mediocre. The script is not all that great. What it lacks in technical and art execution is made up in heart.
I come back to this film when I want nostalgia for my childhood. It reminds me of my own struggles as a child, and I could relate to those issues. Naturally, like everybody, I want superpowers to solve my problems, but the movie reminds the audience why that is folly.
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968)
The Ultimate Calming Presence
Mister Rogers was a lot of things to me as a child. Reassuring. Calming. Most of all, I felt safe in the midst of abuse. I would wish to be magically swept away and placed into Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
As an adult, watching the show brings back so many bittersweet memories and moments I cannot help but break down and cry. That man and his show meant that much to me, and still does.
Thank you so much Mister Rogers for "being there" when I felt alone and scared. Most of all, thank you for giving me the inspiration to love, care, and be there for my own children.
Mister Rogers will never be replaced. Many miss him, but his legacy is legendary.
School Spirit (1985)
Skin and Cheap Laughs (Mostly Skin)
I rented this movie because I was 15 and liked the cover. The rest of the story should be obvious.
I have not seen this movie since I rented it all those years ago, but I do remember it had what I was wanting. Skin and more skin. Then more skin on top of that. I was not disappointed. A few laughs were to be had, but at that age, I did not care.
Yes, if you want an epic story for the ages, you will hate this movie. If you want knee-slapping comedy, you will hate this movie. If you like good acting, you will hate this movie. If you like good cinematography, again, you will hate this movie.
Otherwise, pick it up! it is sure to make you just Google something better and more "to the point" so to speak.
Screwballs (1983)
Typical skin-flick
This movie, as with almost all movies of this type, is not meant to be thought-provoking, intelligent, logical, or based in reality. If these are the things you are looking for, this movie will be terribly disappointing. However, if you are looking for skin, there is plenty here, but just enough not go beyond a heavy-R rating. In this day and age, this kind of movie is probably a dying genre.
As a younger guy with little recourse, these movies were the way to go. They were considered "comedies" and I could rent them with a slight snicker from the clerk. That, and as a teen with percolating hormones, I was not allowed to venture to the section "behind the curtain". So movies like Screwballs it was.
Watching this movie again, it takes me way back, and nothing more. I would not recommend this to anybody other than that purpose.
That's Cat (1976)
Lots of memories!!!
I remember this show with a lot of fondness, and yes, nobody believed me either this show existed. I remember getting up really early in the morning to see this show with my brother on our rinky dink black and white TV set. We also used to watch Whitney and the Robot. I have not looked it up yet, but this show is almost an impossibility to find anywhere, and there are a lot of off the wall things on the Internet.
At any rate, this show was a lot of fun to watch, and we would see things about like eating your vegetables, being nice to others, and other things that were "cat". One line I will never forget is: "Eat your vegetables!" and here is Me crinkling the chocolate wrapper with his friend saying "No candy!"
Of course, there was the segment of grandpa giving his nuggets of wisdom at the end of every show, and you would his granddaughter say in a "hall" reverb effect in the background, "Oh, grandpa!"
Oh yes, and I clearly remember "Can you find Me in this picture?" and they would show some painting and Me's face would flash on the screen. my brother and I would look and look for it and we would be so proud when we spotted Me's face.